Urban Visits the Suburbs of Grantham

Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, are The Urban Sophisticates - an innovative hip-hop band which formed back in 2002.

The group consists of 7 members: Benton James - frontman, Aaron James - vocals, Jeremy Denman - trumpet, Sal Mascali - trombone, Romondo Jessup - drums, and Ryan Kee and Darion Alexander on bass.

The band has described their sound as "post bling neo funk hip hop for ya soul."

Renowned within the hip-hop world is their horns section. According to Judge Mental, "The horns are their signature, and give them a really funky sound."

Some of their main influences include distinguished acts such as Mos Def, Arrested Development, Adam Duritz, Lela James and Talib Kweli. These artists have helped the Urban Sophisticates to add a mix of smoky jazz and swift soul to their hip-hop sound.

In 2003, they independently released their first album which was self-titled. In 2005, they released their second album, titled The Coward's Anthem. In 2006, they were awarded the Southeast Disc Makers Independent Music World Series.

The band, thriving on their powerful, high-energy live performances which are significant to the hip-hop scene, will be gracing Messiah College in the Larsen Student Union for a can't-miss performance this Wednesday at B-Sides!

For more information about the band, and to listen to some of their songs, visit their MySpace page.